U-Pb zircon geochronology and geochemistry of Late Jurassic basalts in Maevatanana, Madagascar: Implications for the timing of separation of Madagascar from Africa

Magmatic zircon ages for the Maevatanana basalts in Madagascar indicate that Madagascar separated from Africa at 149.8 ± 2.1 Ma. Rocks produced by this basaltic magmatism associated with rifting are characterized by low SiO2 (49.6-50.3 wt.%), high total FeO (>13.9 wt.%), TiO2 (>3.7 wt.%), and P2O5 (>0.5 wt.%), and extremely high Na2O/K2O (3.08-3.27). Geochemical variations can be ascribed to significant fractional crystallization of clinopyroxene and plagioclase. The mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of the Maevatanana basalts suggest affinities with calc-alkaline basalt. Additionally the basalts have distinct ocean-island-basalt-like geochemical features that may be related to the Marion plume. We speculate that the Maevatanana basalts are the product of the Marion mantle plume related to separation of Madagascar from Africa in the Late Jurassic.